Carolina Panthers Training Camp

Here are a few tips you won't read on the Panthers official webpage....

- Autographs are given before and after practices. Line up at the fence near the athletic buildings about an hour before the scheduled practice. Not all players will sign. Some of the regulars that will sign most of the time are Steve Smith, Jon Beason, Jordan Gross, and Deangelo Williams. Ron RIvera will also usually sign.

- Kids are given priority during autograph time, as they should be. If you are an adult trying to push aside a child you will be called out and shamed for it.

- When you first arrive, look for the video cameras at the top of the large blue lifts. Whichever field they are pointing at will be the field that sees most of the action that day. Pick your spot accordingly.

- Bug spray, bug spray, bug spray, bug.... spray.

- If you visit the Beaconrestaurant, be sure to say "a plenty" after your order to ensure maximum heart clogging damage

- Cameras are allowed, but video cameras are not. You may be asked to put them down.

- If it seems like players are ignoring you and your screams at them during practice, its because they are. They are there to work, not to listen to your opinions.

- Shade is at a premium. Get there early to grab a spot under one of the trees on the hill.

- If it seems like players are ignoring you and your screams at them during practice, its because they are. They are there to work, not to listen to your opinions

This one is a joke, right? Please tell me folks don't go there and scream at the players... it's tantamount to going to the hair salon and screaming at the stylist to use the #2 guard on the clippers. Let the professionals do their job, without comments from the peanut gallery.

This one is a joke, right? Please tell me folks don't go there and scream at the players... it's tantamount to going to the hair salon and screaming at the stylist to use the #2 guard on the clippers. Let the professionals do their job, without comments from the peanut gallery.

Most people here ignore it, but even the steeliest homers must recognize the majority of our fanbase is made up of ignorant douchebags who know next to nothing about football unless ESPN or some local news know-nothing tells them. Most of the real fans are here, and even then...

If you are a Cam fanatic and expect an autograph, good fuggin luck. He does the best he can but it's a crazed mob when he hits the autograph line. It really made me wish I had paid the 200 bucks or whatever at South Park.

The easiest way I know to get there is I85->business85-> 9. If your driving down 9 and hit the double Krispy Kreme intersection, you've gone too far.

You need to be ready for bugs, sweat, and sun. If being uncomfortable is hard for you to deal with, I got bad news for you. Training camp is not for the weak.

If you are taking your kids, be prepared for them to lose interest and start running around in gangs. Training camp is pretty boring for kids and they will end up playing football with the other kids.

Bring a cooler or large water bottle. You will need fluids.

Do not go to training camp with high expectations for player interaction. These guys are hot, tired, and pissed off. The majority of them won't stop for autographs and forget talking to them mid practice. You can be 30 feet from the linebackers as they do drills. Listen, don't talk. And for the love of God be polite to Steve or your ass will be on youtube getting chewed out.

This is the first time I have looked at the schedule. How long do the practices last?

That does not look like a lot of practice time. When I was in high school and college in band camp we practiced in the morning, again after lunch and came back at night.

So, what are they doing the rest of the time? meetings? film room? ????

Did your band have a union? lol.

They used to do a lot more 2 a days but the last collective bargaining agreement really cut back on those. Practices usually run about 3 hours. You will see some guys come out early or leave late. They prefer to practice in the evening but the weather patterns cause frequent thunderstorms around evening practice time. The rest of the day they have meetings, weight lifting, conditioning, and walkthroughs. Walkthroughs are like practice but in slow motion, no hitting. They don't really run laps or any of that high school physical fitness type drills so I assume they get that work done inside.

This is the first time I have looked at the schedule. How long do the practices last?

That does not look like a lot of practice time. When I was in high school and college in band camp we practiced in the morning, again after lunch and came back at night.

So, what are they doing the rest of the time? meetings? film room? ????

I have to point out what everyone else is thinking.. football and band camp? so many jokes... from, well, band camp..... to american pie..... to comparing band camp to football, and let's throw in a solid flute reference for good measure...

however, that is a good question and I'm curious of the answer as well.. I'm assuming there is quite a bit of down time where most guys are learning the playbook, as well as doing themselves a favor by asking coaches and players about technique, etc... I doubt there is much film to watch but it's possible.

I have to point out what everyone else is thinking.. football and band camp? so many jokes... from, well, band camp..... to american pie..... to comparing band camp to football, and let's throw in a solid flute reference for good measure...

however, that is a good question and I'm curious of the answer as well.. I'm assuming there is quite a bit of down time where most guys are learning the playbook, as well as doing themselves a favor by asking coaches and players about technique, etc... I doubt there is much film to watch but it's possible.

Band is a serious thing! Got to stay in shape....there are muscles in use which have to be finely tuned. (My last marching band director in college even made us run laps...we had a pre-game show which involved running on the field. The entire band laugh at first when he told us to run...then when we realized he was serious there were some other comments.)

However....I knew you guys would have fun with that "comparison." I was laughing as I typed it imagining the responses. Hope most of you know I am smarter than that. You handled the reaction fairly delicately.

Still, does not look like a grueling schedule or much practice for something that is called a camp. I know things have changed with the new agreement.

allow me to break up this awkward moment................... with talks of band camp.

Band is a serious thing! Got to stay in shape....there are muscles in use which have to be finely tuned. (My last marching band director in college even made us run laps...we had a pre-game show which involved running on the field. The entire band laugh at first when he told us to run...then when we realized he was serious there were some other comments.)

However....I knew you guys would have fun with that "comparison." I was laughing as I typed it imaging the responses. Hope most of you know I am smarter than that. You handled the reaction fairly delicately.

Still, does not look like a grueling schedule or much practice for something that is called a camp. I know things have changed with the new agreement.

staying in shape for band camp? am I supposed to come away from that with less jokes? My mind wanders around this playground...

I figure running around with a trombone is quite aerobic.. a quiet exercise? I wouldn't wish that on my enemies.. Well, cancel that, I would.. Sounds exhausting..... (that's what she said, right?)

but seriously though...... Okay... good.... now.

With that said, I'm sure the new schedule is far less grueling than ever.. Although, I do expect that Gettleman as well as the coaches agree (and I have no doubt Rivera's military background hates this) that these guys have a lot less down time than expected..

However, that's my take on what I would do... Obviously, without reports on whats truly going down over training camp I can't say for sure.. Fact is those taking their job seriously is using every minute to learn. With the new report that Gettleman isn't allowing players in the locker room, they better be taking advantage of their situation...